Police said in a statement thieves that have targeted 16 buildings have cost the district about $800,000 in damage this year and police are planning to announce a details of a strategy to deal with the crimes on Tuesday at Stephenson Middle School in Stone Mountain.

Officials said in a release the plan will include a burglary suppression unit and support from a police helicopter that's equipped with infrared imaging and night vision.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.

GDOT hosting public meetings on state rail plan

ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia Department of Transportation is planning three public meetings to discuss long-range transportation planning projects.

Officials say they're developing a long-term plan for passenger and freight rail transportation through 2040 and are hosting meetings with the public and stakeholders.

Officials say they're hosting a meeting Aug. 12 at Dalton City Hall, Aug. 13 at the Atlanta Regional Commission and Aug. 14 at Valdosta City Hall.

Each meeting runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and members of the public will be given opportunities to share input with state transportation officials.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.

Child, 4, drowns in pool at a home outside Atlanta

JONESBORO, Ga. (AP) — Authorities are investigating after a 4-year-old boy drowned in a pool at a home south of Atlanta.

Clayton County police say they responded around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to the home in Jonesboro, where they found the boy in the pool. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said in a statement that a preliminary investigation suggests the child and his parents were visiting from out of town.

Police said the drowning appears to be accidental.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.

Man accused of stealing wire at haunted house

NEWNAN, Ga. (AP) — Authorities in west Georgia are searching for a suspect they say stole copper wire from a haunted house.

Coweta County sheriff's Lt. Col. Jimmy Yarbrough said his office has obtained images of the suspect from surveillance cameras set up inside the business -- 13 Stories Haunted House -- on Highway 16 West on July 30.

Authorities say the suspect was recorded parking a white Ford Expedition behind the business, then going inside to take insulated copper and electrical wire on July 30.

Yarbrough tells The Newnan Times-Herald that the business owner had installed two security cameras. He says the suspect saw one of the cameras and tore it down, but he failed to notice the other one.

Sheriff's officials tell WSB-TV that there have been eight copper-related thefts since June 1.

Fulton County commissioners on Wednesday approved the increase with a 4-3 vote.

The increase is the first of its kind in more than two decades.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the tax hike is expected to pay for countywide services like libraries, courts and social services.

It would cost the owner of a $275,000 home an extra $140 a year if the property's value remains unchanged.

Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves has said that declining revenues and increased costs have left the county with a $40 million to $50 million budget shortfall.

Opponents of the increase say the county should cut spending and live within its means, rather than raise taxes.

Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.

Crews searching lake find body; ID not released

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Forsyth County fire officials, who have been searching Lake Lanier for a man who has been missing since early Tuesday, say they've recovered a body.

The Forsyth County News reports that authorities have not yet confirmed whether the body is that of the missing man.

Authorities have been searching for the last of three people they say ran from a deputy who broke up an unauthorized party at a park near Lake Lanier.

Forsyth County Fire Chief Jason Shivers said a deputy patrolling an area near Two Mile Creek Park found a group of about 20 teens and young adults early Tuesday morning. Authorities say some were detained but the deputy heard others jump in the water.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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